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Disney pulls Moana 'brown skin' costume amid racist claims

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Disney is set to release "Moana" on November 23, 2016, but it wanted to cash in on Halloween costumes -- too hastily it seems.
Disney has pulled its Maui costume amid outrage.

Disney is set to release "Moana" on November 23, 2016, but it wanted to cash in on Halloween costumes -- too hastily it seems.

Source: Disneystore.com

Disney released the Moana costume last weekend on its online store. The costume is that of Maui, a demigod in Polynesian mythology. In the Disney animated film, Maui is voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Although Disney has featured brown-skinned people in its films before (think “Pocahontas”), it has not released a costume in which 'brown skin' itself is depicted as part of the costume.

The costume’s description reads, “Your little one will set off on adventures in this Maui Costume featuring the demigod’s signature tattoos, rope necklace and island-style skirt. Plus, padded arms and legs for mighty stature!”

Accompanying the description is a photograph of a young boy, who has brown skin, wearing the costume. (See above).

Source: Disneystore.com

Unsurprisingly, there was immediate outrage and backlash across social media. Disney pulled the costume from its website and stores.

Disney pulled a boy's costume for a Polynesian character some Pacific Islanders have compared to blackface. https://t.co/Rg7l6sh6zL

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Born in the Philippines. I had my 10th bday in Chicago, IL, my 13th bday in the San Francisco Bay Area, which is still home today. I am father to three wonderful children, to whom I would love to pass on the Filipino culture & traditions.
In a previous life, I was an IT Product Manager for a Fortune 500 company in San Francisco. I managed all software & computer security on the corporation's enterprise servers. Today, I work out of my home office as an IT Consultant and a photographer. I still follow my Chicago teams, but I’m a diehard Bay Area sports fan. "Be water my friend." -- Bruce Lee | http://www.pinoybuilt.com